A GUN enthusiast was facing prison yesterday after a surprise birthday present backfired. When Tai Pik-yeung unwrapped Tsang Shuk-ping's gift on his 26th birthday he was delighted to find a pistol and four bullets. He was not so pleased when he was arrested 10 months later following a dawn police raid on his Kowloon flat. Yesterday Tai, 27, a foreman, admitted possession of arms and ammunition and now faces up to 14 years' jail. Prosecutor Alex Lee told the High Court Tai received the pistol as a present from his friend Ms Tsang on December 25, 1993. He played with it at home and then locked it in a jewellery box. On October 21 last year, police seized the gun after swooping on his flat. Defence counsel Andrew Macrae said: 'He was given it on his birthday as a surprise.' He said Tai had never fired the pistol. Deputy Judge Burrell adjourned sentencing until tomorrow.
